Rochester Rattlers relocating to Dallas

The Rochester Rattlers are relocating in Dallas, according to media reports. (WHAM photo)

Rochester, N.Y. (WHAM) - One of Rochester's lacrosse teams will no longer be in Rochester.

The Rochester Rattlers are relocating to Frisco, Texas, according to Major League Lacrosse (MLL). They will be rebranded as the Dallas Rattlers for the 2018 MLL season.

The MLL team will play its home games at Ford Center at The Star in Frisco, the Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters and practice facility.

"The Rochester Rhinos organization and Capelli Sport Stadium wish the Rochester Rattlers continued success in Dallas," said Rochester Rhinos co-owner David Dworkin in a statement. We thank Major League Lacrosse, Commissioner David Gross, Rattlers Coaches and the Players for their support last season. We have greatly enjoyed working with them and attending games. Professional sports teams are vital community assets – a sentiment we know is shared by thousands of people across the region, recognizing the benefits they bring to fans, neighborhoods and so many others."

“We have been interested in the North Texas area for quite some time and we are thrilled that our dream of bringing an MLL team to Dallas has come to fruition,” MLL Commissioner David Gross said. “We would like to thank the city of Rochester, the Dworkin family and everyone who has supported the Rattlers for their devotion to the team. We believe this relocation will make the franchise stronger than ever and will bring the highest level of lacrosse to a rapidly growing hotbed for the sport.”

Assistant head coach Bill Warder will be the head coach of the Dallas Rattlers. Warder, a Geneva native, played in MLL in 2001 and was an assistant coach when the Rattlers won the first MLL Championship in franchise history in 2008.

Last season, the Rattlers went 8-6 and played in the postseason for the eighth time in franchise history.